About the Awards
Three innovation award trophies - a spiral design, with a star on top.
Winners receive a prize of US$1,500, a trophy, a certificate, and publicity through EIFL’s website and wide network of contacts.

sixteen exciting innovation award calls launched since 2012

The EIFL Public Library Innovation Awards are open to all public and community libraries in developing and transition countries. The calls highlight important community development issues and recognize innovative uses of digital technology to improve people’s lives.

Winners receive a prize of US$1,500, a trophy, a certificate, and publicity through EIFL’s website and wide network of contacts.

Since 2011 EIFL has completed 16 innovation award calls and announced the names of 57 winners in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Our most recent award, the 16th innovation award, was for public libraries enabling learning through play. Congratulations to four winners!

We will launch the 17th EIFL Public Innovation Award later this year (2023) - watch our website or follow us on social media for details - Twitter @EIFLnet, Facebook. 

In 2021 we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the awards with a special feature highlighting a selection of winners over the years. See the feature in our 2021 Annual Report  or download the brochure

Meet the winners of past awards

Public libraries responding to COVID-19

Public libraries protecting the environment

Public libraries contributing to community economic wellbeing

Public libraries contributing to community health

Public libraries contributing to social inclusion in the community

Public libraries contributing to open government

Public libraries empowering women and girls

Creative use of ICT in public libraries 

Public libraries contributing to education 

Public libraries contributing to literacy